Japan posted a surplus in its current account for a 22nd consecutive month in April.

    Japan's Finance Ministry officials say the surplus totaled about 17.5 billion dollars. The current account balance is the broadest measure of trade and investment with the rest of the world. 

    The trade surplus stood at more than 6.5 billion dollars. The figure improved as lower crude oil prices reduced the value of energy imports, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) radio. The primary-income account, which measures earnings from overseas investments, had a surplus of over 16.6 billion dollars.